04 Jun CATA ANNOUNCES GROUNDBREAKING ON JUNE 10
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 4, 2019
Contact: Chris Watford
(413) 528-5485
Images available upon request
COMMUNITY ACCESS TO THE ARTS ANNOUNCES GROUNDBREAKING ON JUNE 10– Renovations to Begin to Create the CATA Arts Center
Great Barrington, MA—Community Access to the Arts (CATA) will hold a groundbreaking ceremony at the organization’s future home at 420 Stockbridge Road on June 10 at 11am. The new arts center will establish a permanent home for CATA and allow the organization to expand its innovative arts programs for people with disabilities.
“After 26 years of renting space, CATA will now have a true home–one that will double our existing space for artists with disabilities,” says Margaret Keller. “With the growth we’ve achieved in recent years, we have been bursting at the seams. Now, after intensive planning, we are ready to take this pivotal step forward to give our CATA artists the space they deserve. We can’t wait to share our plans with the wider community at the Groundbreaking and in the months ahead.”
“CATA is a statewide respected organization which provides those with special abilities a community, a family, and a place to express themselves,” said Representative Smitty Pignatelli of the 4th Berkshire District. “I can think of no better way to represent the home CATA creates for so many than by literally breaking ground on what will be a new building.”
The two-story, 6,400-square-foot facility will double the organization’s existing studio space, with two new art studios— one for visual arts and writing, the other for dance and performing arts. CATA’s new arts center will also embody the principles of Universal Design, making the facility accessible to every person. For the first time, the building will bring the organization’s studios and offices under the same roof.
The event will include remarks from Senator Adams Hinds and Representative “Smitty” Pignatelli, who serve as Honorary Co-Chairs of CATA’s Capital Campaign Steering Committee, as well as a performance by The CATA Beat, CATA’s drumming group. The event is open to the public.
Formerly the Renaissance Arts Center, the building will undergo an extensive renovation to prepare for its new life as the CATA Arts Center. Architects Clark & Green are leading the design of the renovation and Allegrone is managing construction. Construction is slated to begin in July, with the building opening in early 2020.
Since 1993, CATA has brought over 20,000 life-changing arts workshops to more than 2,000 people with disabilities throughout Berkshire and Columbia counties. In the last five years, CATA has dramatically increased its program offerings, serving more than 70% more people, while also expanding public programs including performances, readings, and art exhibits featuring work by CATA artists with disabilities.
To support the purchase and renovation of the new facility, CATA has launched its first-ever capital campaign: the CATA Forward Capital Campaign. The Campaign also supports pilot programs serving artists with disabilities across Berkshire and Columbia counties.
CATA’s Campaign Steering Committee is led by Co-Chairs Claudia Perles and Heather Wells Heim, and includes Sandra Baron, Janet Egelhofer, Joan Hunter, Mitch Nash, Natalie Johnsonius Neubert, Carol Riordan, Frank Russell, Steve Shatz, and Virginia Stanton Smith, in addition to the Honorary Co-Chair positions held by Senator Hinds and Representative Pignatelli.
About Community Access to the Arts: Community Access to the Arts (CATA) nurtures and celebrates the creativity of people with disabilities. Through dynamic arts workshops and public events, CATA artists tap into their potential, explore new talents, and share their unique points of view with the wider community. CATA collaborates with 47 partner organizations to bring visual and performing arts programs to 800 people with disabilities across Berkshire County, Massachusetts and Columbia County, New York. Learn more at CATAarts.org.
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